Valve assembly

Abstract

A fluid flow control valve assembly is provided, and includes a fluid flow control valve which includes a first flow control member having one or more flow channels, and a second flow control member adjacent to the first flow control member. The second flow control member moves relative to the first flow control member. A first valve actuator causes movement of the second flow control member relative to the first flow control member. An operating member connects to the first valve actuator. The operating member moves in a linear direction and the operating member on the first valve actuator moves the second flow control member. Movement of the second flow control member adjusts the position of the second flow control member relative to the one or more flow channels in the first flow control member such that a flow rate through the fluid flow control valve may change.

1 . A fluid flow control valve assembly comprising:
 a fluid flow control valve including
 a first flow control member having one or more flow channels, and 
 a second flow control member disposed adjacent to the first flow control member, wherein the second flow control member is moveable relative to the first flow control member; 
   a first valve actuator causing movement of the second flow control member relative to the first flow control member; and   an operating member operably connected to the first valve actuator;   wherein, in use, the operating member moves in a linear direction and the operating member acts in turn on the first valve actuator to move the second flow control member,   wherein movement of the second flow control member adjusts the position of the second flow control member relative to the one or more flow channels in the first flow control member such that a flow rate through the fluid flow control valve may be increased or decreased.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow rate through the fluid flow control valve is always a non-zero value. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first valve actuator comprises a lever. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first valve actuator causes linear movement of the second flow control member relative to the first flow control member. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according  claim 1 , wherein the first valve actuator causes rotation of the second flow control member relative to the first flow control member. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the second flow control member is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the second flow control member. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the flow channels comprise an aperture passing through the first flow control member. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a length of the operating member is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the length of the operating member is adjustable between a plurality of discrete lengths. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein one or more connecting pieces connect an end of the operating member to another elongate member. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the connecting pieces provide two or more different connecting piece lengths between the end of the operating member and the other elongate member. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according  claim 8 , wherein the length of the operating member is adjustable to have any length within a range of lengths. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid flow control valve assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the ablutionary fitting provides a principal stream of fluid having a user-desired temperature. 
     
     
         14 . A controller comprising:
 a fluid control valve assembly including:
 a fluid flow control valve including
 a first flow control member having one or more flow channels, and 
 a second flow control member disposed adjacent to the first flow control member, wherein the second flow control member is moveable relative to the first flow control member; 
 
 a first valve actuator causing movement of the second flow control member relative to the first flow control member; and 
 an operating member operably connected to the first valve actuator; 
 wherein, in use, the operating member moves in a linear direction and the operating member acts in turn on the first valve actuator to move the second flow control member, 
 wherein movement of the second flow control member adjusts the position of the second flow control member relative to the one or more flow channels in the first flow control member such that a flow rate through the fluid flow control valve may be increased or decreased; and 
   a user input device operably connected to the operating member of the fluid flow control valve assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The controller according to  claim 14 , wherein the user input device includes a touchscreen, a button, a lever or a rotary control member, or the user input device includes a rotary control member having a cam surface, the cam surface directly or indirectly causing linear movement of the operating member when a user rotates the rotary control member. 
     
     
         16 . The controller according to  claim 14 , wherein the fluid flow rate through the fluid flow control valve is always a non-zero value. 
     
     
         17 . The controller according to  claim 14 , wherein the first valve actuator comprises a lever. 
     
     
         18 . The controller according to  claim 14 , wherein the first valve actuator causes linear movement of the second flow control member relative to the first flow control member. 
     
     
         19 . A plumbing system or an ablutionary system comprising:
 a fluid flow control valve assembly including:
 a fluid flow control valve including
 a first flow control member having one or more flow channels, and 
 a second flow control member disposed adjacent to the first flow control member, wherein the second flow control member is moveable relative to the first flow control member; 
 
 a first valve actuator causing movement of the second flow control member relative to the first flow control member; and 
 an operating member operably connected to the first valve actuator; 
 wherein, in use, the operating member moves in a linear direction and the operating member acts in turn on the first valve actuator to move the second flow control member, 
 wherein movement of the second flow control member adjusts the position of the second flow control member relative to the one or more flow channels in the first flow control member such that a flow rate through the fluid flow control valve may be increased or decreased; and 
   a controller including a user input device operably connected to the operating member of the fluid flow control valve assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The plumbing system or ablutionary system of  claim 19 , including one or more fluid delivery devices downstream of the fluid control valve assembly.